GALLERY: New Year's Eve fireworks

By
HERALD REPORTERS

Dec. 31, 2012, 10:30 p.m.

FROM the banks of the Hunter River to the shores of Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Newcastle, the Hunter celebrated in style on New Year's Eve, ringing in the new year as breathtaking firework displays filled the night sky.

GALLERY: New Year's Eve fireworks

FLOWER: Picture submitted by Stephanie Owen.

Picture submitted by Joel Manns

REVELLERS: From left: Ashley Hilton, of Hamilton, Steve Thapirate, of Cooks Hill, Lacey Turner, of Redhead, and Stacey Dewey, of Cooks Hill celebrate the start of a new year with glasses of bubbly at a party in Honeysuckle.

SPECTACULAR: New Year’s Eve fireworks explode over the Newcastle foreshore, the first of two sets to welcome in 2013. Picture: Jonathan Caroll

Picture submitted by Stephanie Owen

New Years Eve fireworks on Newcastle foreshore. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

New Years Eve fireworks on Newcastle foreshore. Picture: Dean Osland

New Years Eve fireworks on Newcastle foreshore. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

New Years Eve fireworks on Newcastle foreshore. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

FROM the banks of the Hunter River to the shores of Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Newcastle, the Hunter celebrated in style on New Year's Eve, ringing in the new year as breathtaking firework displays filled the night sky.

Do you have photographs from last night's fireworks displays or of your own festivities? Please share them by emailing online.media@theherald.com.au or using the report function on our iPhone or Android apps.

Thousands jostled for position close to the waters edge at Maitland, Newcastle, Wangi Wangi and Nelson Bay to witness the sky fill with light and to welcome in 2013 while others avoided the crowds by heading to parties with friends or celebrating at home with family.

The crowds got in early in Newcastle, marking their territory with picnic blankets and chairs while thousands of others scrambled for a spot along the foreshore and in Nobbys Beach Reserve.

Organisers estimated about 30,000 revellers witnessed dazzling firework shows at 9pm and midnight as clear skies and warm weather beckoned people into the city.